Phillies injury updates on J.T. Realmuto, Zack Wheeler, and Rhys Hoskins
Just about the worse-case scenario went down for the manager Joe Girardi-led Philadelphia Phillies during their seven-game series opposite the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park.
Not only did the Phillies lose five of their seven games, resulting in them falling to third place in the National League East — 1 1/2-games behind the Marlins — three key players went down with injuries in the process.
Now, it appears at least two of the players are on the mind; the third not so much, but there is a chance he still returns before season’s end, too.
The bad news first: following Monday evening’s loss, the Phillies placed first baseman Rhys Hoskins on the 10-day injured list with a left arm ulnar collateral ligament injury. Girardi told reporters that the team is not ready to say Hoskins is done for the remainder season; however, the earliest he could return is September 23 with four games left on the 60-game schedule. If Hoskins does return, perhaps he will be limited to just a designated hitter role to avoid potential reinjury.
Now, the good news. After a freak fingernail injury, the Phillies are expecting Zack Wheeler to pitch in the upcoming series against the New York Mets. The right-hander threw a 41-pitch bullpen session that went well on Monday.
J.T. Realmuto said Zack Wheeler told him that his bullpen session went well today. Realmuto did add that one of Wheeler's pitches bothered him more than the others, so he may not use that pitch. He didn't specify what pitch it was.
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) September 14, 2020
Perhaps even better news, one of the most important players on the Phillies roster, catcher J.T. Realmuto, is expected to return sooner than later. Albeit being diagnosed with a mild hip flexor strain, he will be sidelined for just a couple more days and the Phillies will go from there. In other words, his status is day-to-day.
Realmuto told reporters that he does not believe he will be out too long and that he is “pretty confident” the team will be just fine despite their recent skid.
“We have to get healthy. Until we do that, guys are going to have to step up,” Realmuto added.
The Phillies are just 12-18 against the Marlins since the 2018 season. During their last three games against them alone, they were outscored 16 to 4. Now, the Phillies are on the outside looking in as it relates to the top two postseason spots in the National League East. They have 14 more games left to play to try to make up ground.